Photographer's Note

We weren't too lucky with the weather, when we arrived in Alesund on the cruise ship "Ryndam".
So, unfortunately, the visit of the "Art Nouveau" town centre had to be cut down and this is the best picture I could get of it when we were back on board after our day's outing in Aksla forest.

Before 1904, most houses had been built in wood as usual in Scandinavia. But at that date, a great fire stirred by violent winds ravaged the whole city as never before in Norway, it seems.
The population had to flee the town in the middle of the night at a few minutes notice, and luckily only 1 person of the 10 000 inhabitants died. But they were all left without shelter.
However Kaiser Wilhelm of Prussia, who had often been on vacation in the region sent 4 warships of material to build temporary shelters....

Soon the town was rebuilt in stone in the ART NOUVEAU style, which was the fashion all over Europe at the time. It now boasts the most important collection of Art Nouveau buildings in Europe.
The French term "Art Nouveau" prevailed in many countries, while quaintly enough, the term used in France was "Modern Style" at a time when English words started to invade the language.

The church on the right is "Alesund Kirke", and the yellow building behind with the little cupola is "Aspoy Skole". "Aspoy" is the name of 1 of the 3 islands on which Alesund is built.
The street going up is "Aspe Gata".

Hello Marie-Louise,
Unfortunately we photographers on short visits are at the mercy of the weather and have to do do the best we can. The image is well framed and has good colours and clarity despite the grey sky. I like the inclusion of the flag, which adds a splash of colour, and the nicely rendered raindrops, which contribute to the mood.

Bonsoir MarieLouise,
It is almost impossible to avoide one of Norway's 300 rainy days on every year, so - managed an artistic approach for a photo.
Each droplet distinctly shown on the window glass, and yet managed to show the colorful facades across.
My best regards,
Ike

Bonjour Marie Louise,
lovely composition. I remember when I traveled in Ireland I took a lot of photos like this one :(
LaterI decided not to go anywhere if the weather was uncertain but then again in Ireland it is uncertain most of the year... The same thing in North East England. Sometimes there are months without leaving for a trip...
Except for the rainy foreground you have captured some interesting architecture all having some yellow motifs, which goes well altogether.
Great reportage,
M

Hello Marie Louise,
Luckily the houses added some bright colours to the photo, especially the yellow façades stand out perfectly on this cloudy and rainy day. I like how you included the raindrops on the windows.
Lars

It happens to all of us sometimes. I could wait up until a month for good weather in Romania in November December as I experienced in Piatra Neamt. It's frustrating for sure. Despite the inclement weather you still managed a reasonably good shot. The sharply focused raindrops are an artistic touch. Tfs! Brings back nice memories of Norway for me.

Bonjour MarieLouise
The weather on the west-coast of Norway is a weak point. We travelled a few time by car through this region but mostly the sun appeared after we had passed the mountains to Sweden. But there is so much that compensate the rain or even splendid possibilities to use the rain like this lovely moody picture shows us.
Excellent work. Have a nice day, groet Rob

Hello Marie Louise
Very nice capture made on a rainy day.
The waterdrops on the windowglass creates a wonderfull effect.
Many interesting and usefull notes as well.
TFS and have a nice weekend,
MESUT ILGIM

The outing was a great disappointment for you but fortunately, you were resourceful and took this fine photograph from the comfort of the boat. In some ways, it was an advantage, for you had a good, elevated viewpoint and the raindrops descending the window add further atmosphere to the moody sky. You have still been able to give us a good impression of the Art Nouveau buildings.

I have taken quite number of photographs through windows and was taught that as long as you get your lens as close as possible to the glass, the photograph will be fine. (Of course, the glass has to be quite clean!)

Hello Marie-Louise,
What a pity you had such bad weather on your short visit to Ålesund. Unfortunately most of the Norwegian Atlantic coast is notoriously rainy, so there are no "safe" times to visit it. We still see that the architecture is spectacular. The rain drops on the window have a nice effect and leave us in no doubt that the weather wasn't favourable for a long walk. The photo is very well exposed and the colours have an appealing intensity.
Kind regards,
Gert

Good evening.
A nice view and a moment, interesting and good text ...
Nice part of the city in the day with rain, good perspective and contrast, nice colors, a nice caught moment. Beautiful houses on the coast and architecture in the background, beautiful Church.
I wish you a nice and peaceful night, all the best, good luck.